Culture

James Cameron on virtual reality: 'Yawn' (Tomorrow Daily 229)

Khail and Ashley discuss "Avatar" director James Cameron's decidedly lukewarm feelings toward VR, explain how a book can bring safe drinking water to areas in need, and get teary-eyed watching a little girl throw a pitch with her 3D-printed hand.

Ashley Esqueda Senior Video Producer

Ashley Esqueda is an award-winning video producer and on-air talent based in Los Angeles. She has been playing video games since she was 3 years old, and loves the history of television. She currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband Jimi, son Wolfgang, and two very squirrely Italian Greyhounds.

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Ashley Esqueda

Aug. 20, 2015 4:41 p.m. PT

2 min read

We're not sure what makes legendary director James Cameron so "meh" about virtual reality, but he doesn't seem to be anticipating it at this point. Khail has a really great idea as to why that is, though, and it's got a lot to do with the fact that he's surrounded by high-tech gadgets and inventions all the time. He might have some good points about the content currently being showcased on VR headsets, though...

Carnegie Mellon University postdoc Theresa Dankovich has created "The Drinkable Book," and it could help bring clean drinking water to impoverished people around the globe. Each page is made of two high-quality water filters, which can be used over and over again to purify water that would otherwise be undrinkable. Pretty amazing stuff with some huge benefits, particularly considering each book could give one person clean drinking water for up to four years.

Lastly, but certainly not least, we get our permission slips ready for a feels trip, as we watch 5-year-old Hailey Dawson throw out the first pitch at an Orioles game. She's no ordinary kid, though; she threw that pitch with the help of a custom-made, 3D-printed prosthetic hand, and we're thrilled to see future tech help someone who needs it in a big way.

Watch this: James Cameron on virtual reality: 'Yawn' (Tomorrow Daily 229)

23:31

Podcast

Here are some links and notes for all the things on the show today:

"Avatar 2" director James Cameron isn't super-excited about VR (yet)
The Drinkable Book is a project meant to get disadvantaged areas clean drinking water
5-year-old girl throws out the first pitch at a Baltimore Orioles game with her 3D-printed hand
Into It: VHS Camcorder and light painting
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